They are qualified to mobilise and manipulate the body to make movement and everyday life more comfortable. Part of their treatment also includes the observation of a patient’s movement techniques in order to offer advice to the patient. Physiotherapy aims to restore the body to its optimum function level, and this can also include recommendations relating to diet, exercise regimes and lifestyle. Exercise-based physiotherapy is often used by the NHS as part of a patient rehabilitation programme to get them moving safely after an accident or serious medical emergency, such as a stroke. Programmes are also devised for patients to take away with them to follow at home to maintain their movement levels.

What is a chiropractor?

Chiropractors tend to focus on the spine and the way the vertebrae are aligned to improve the way the nerves flow. This is said to improve the condition of the body as a whole, as the spine is a major part of the nervous system and responsible for carrying a lot of signals to and from the brain. The nerve branches from the spine convey vital information as they travel between bones, and if this is interrupted by the misalignment of the spinal cord it can cause problems throughout the body. Chiropractors primarily treat lower back pain with manual manipulation of the body to improve the flow of nerves. The spine is manipulated past its normal range, but not so much so that it causes dislocation or pain.

How are they different?

The difference mostly lies in the scope of health issues the two treatment types are used for. Physiotherapy is far more general and is used in a wider range of situations than chiropractic treatment, which is primarily used to treat lower back pain. The techniques are similar, but chiropractors often use techniques to manually readjust the spine back into a position where the nerves can flow properly. Physiotherapists do more observation and work along with their hands on treatment, to maintain the optimal function of their bodies. Physiotherapists are able to successfully work with most parts of the body, whereas chiropractors are better known for their treatment of backs and the spine.

Which is right for me?

If you want to decide whether you should see a physiotherapist or a chiropractor to treat your condition, it is best to see your GP. However, if you have found no real improvement with chiropractic treatment, we have a team of fully qualified physiotherapists here at The Physio Therapy Centre who are able to treat a range of similar conditions, including lower back pain. If you have any questions or would like to find out whether our physiotherapists can help you with your health problem, get in touch with The Physio Therapy Centre and we will be happy to explain further about what we do and the techniques we feel could be beneficial for you.